Obituary of Melvin Quick

In Loving Memory of Melvin Quick

Melvin Quick was born on November 8, 1933 to the union of Adella Jenkins-Quick and Lister Quick in Donalsonville, GA. Melvin was educated in the Donalsonville school system where he graduated from Seminole High School. Although Melvin did not pursue college, he possessed the intelligence and sensibility of a college graduate.

Dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities for people of color in the South, Melvin relocated up North determined to overcome societal barriers and make a better life for himself. It wasn’t long before Melvin met his beautiful wife, Elizabeth at the popular Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Melvin and Elizabeth were married in 1954 and had three daughters. Melvin was a family man and always worked hard to provide for his “family” which extended well beyond his wife and three daughters. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law and friend. He was always there to provide assistance, guidance or help to whoever needed him. Melvin was a man of God and the patriarch of his family. He was also a businessman, entrepreneur, a community activist, and a civil servant. Melvin was employed as a bus driver for 25 years with the Metropolitan Transit Association; during his tenure with the MTA he won numerous awards for customer service. He also served as the Vice President of the NAACP, East New York-Brooklyn Chapter and held various esteemed roles such as Treasurer, Trustee and Deacon at the churches he belonged to.

Melvin was also an athlete; he had the ability to excel in any sport that he participated in. In high school Melvin was scouted by a Minor League Baseball team, however, opportunities for African Americans during the Jim Crow era especially in the South were far and few in between. Unfortunately, that dream was deferred.

In 1994 Melvin and Elizabeth respectively retired and relocated to Kissimmee, FL until 2014 when they moved to Somerset, NJ to reside with their youngest daughter. On Thursday, May 17, 2018 Melvin was called to glory after battling a long-term illness. He was a great family man who was kind, loving and giving to everyone. Melvin was an inspiration and beloved by everyone who knew him. He will be sorely missed.

Melvin leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Williams-Quick; three daughters, Deborah Quick-Cain of NY, Conniee Quick-Lovell of NY and Sandra Quick of NJ; son-in-law, Robert Lovell Sr.; four grandchildren, Rashana Cain, Kareem Cain, Nicole Lovell and Robert Lovell Jr.; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Hattie Quick-Sampson of FL and Eloise Rogers of NJ; brother-in-law, Paul Sampson and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.